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'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SOLON R. ATKINS AND D. H. HULL, OF PLANTSVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOBS TO D. H.

HULL, AFORESAID.

TRACE-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 24,515, dated June $21,v 1859.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, SoLoN R. ATKINS and D. H. HULL, both of Plantsville, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trace-Fasteners; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the end of the trace showing the spring slide in a closed position. Fig. 2 is a view showing the slide when drawn back to receive the button on the ends of the whiffle-tree. Fig. 3 is a view showing the trace when attached to the whiile-tree.

The nature of our invention consists in fixing to the ends of the traces where they are attached to the buttons on the end of the whiiie-tree a metallic box corresponding to the size and shape of the trace. This is fitted to the end of the trace by a plate which is bolted through the leathers thus securing the box and yleather from being drawn apart; in this box is placed two helical springs which press against two lugs so as to keep a sliding plate against the neck of the Whittle-tree button. This plate being so arranged with respect to the box that it can be drawn back to allow the head of the button to pass through the cock-eye and to remove the same with readiness in detaching the horse from the vehicle, described as follows:

A represents the metal box having formed on its end a semicircular ring, B, inclosing the cock-eye.

C is a slide being rounded oif on its end and having two lugs, a Z2, projecting from its side; these are pressed against the shoulders of the box, A, by two helical springs, D E, which also press against the portions c Z of the box, A. Between these two springs, D E, forming part of the slide, C, is a portion, F, to which two side plates, Gr H, are secured; these are placed on the outside of the box, A, in order tocover the slot formed in the sides of the box, and prevent the interior parts from being exposed to dirt, etc.; these plates are secured to the slide by screws, and movewith it.

H is a small knob screwed to the slide for operating the same.

The fastening and unfastening is eiected by drawing back the slide, which operation exposes a long slot, or, in other words, elongates the cook-eye, the button, I, on the end of the whiflie-tree, is passed through the slot, and the slide relieved when it is pressed up against the neck of the button by the helical springs, before described, and securely held in place without being liable, under all ordinary circumstances, to get accidentally detached.

fhat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The metallic box, A, having a semicircular ring, B, on its end, and provided with a slide, C, which is to be operated by a knob, H, and held against the neck of the button on the whiiie-tree by springs, D E, all ar'- ranged and operating in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.

SOLON R. ATKINS. D. H. HULL.

Witnesses SALMON F. CLARK, CHARLES H. CLARK. 

